Knuble Returns to Broad Street

Mike Knuble insists he won't be tempted to turn right into the Flyers' dressing room instead of left into the visitors' tomorrow at Wachovia Center. But the big right wing does anticipate a flood of memories to wash over him when he walks into the building.

"You try to treat it as another game, but of course there's some history there," he said. "I'm looking forward to trying to get a win there. I had a lot of good years there. It's one of those games you'll remember for a while. So I guess I'm glad we're getting it out of the way early."

Knuble has changed teams before, having also played for the Bruins, Rangers and Red Wings. But his 310 games with the Flyers are the most he's spent with any club, and four of his five top point-producing seasons came in orange and black.

"Like anyone who has played for another team," he added, "it's weird to go the other end of the hallway. A lot of stuff will be the same, like between whistle music and the anthem singer. It's all the stuff you're used to. I'll probably see some familiar faces. There will be probably be some people giving you grief and some people who will thank you for your time.

"It's kind of ironic to play in the last home game there in Philly and then the first home game the next season -- but on the other team."

Until June 30, Knuble said he thought there was a pretty good chance he would be returning to Philly for a fifth season. The home discount he was being asked to take, though, was a little too big.

"It went down to the final hour and they made it as good as they can, but as the salary cap went, there was not much increase in it," Knuble said. "And some younger players were demanding much more in their salaries, and deservedly so. There's tough decisions every year to be made. I can't fault [GM Paul Holmgren], we had a great conversations all spring. And literally driving back to Michigan on the 30th of June, it was still up the air. It just didn't get done."

But he's in Washington now. And, as he said, his only concern tomorrow will be helping the Caps win their third straight game.

"You want to play well," he said. "But you want to come out with a win a little more than other places."

Here are a couple of other quotes that didn't fit into my story for tomorrow's Post but are worth sharing:

*Coach Bruce Boudreau on scoring 10 goals in the first two games: "You hope it never dries up, but that's why we have to learn to play defense. Because eventually you're not going to score four, five, six goals a game."

*Knuble on the perception that the Flyers preach playing on the edge: "You hear about people getting the 'Philadelphia flu'. That goes back to the Broad Street [Bullies] days. But there's no secret meetings going on or any propaganda or brainwashing."

*Knuble on the perception that the Flyers preach playing on the edge: "You hear about people getting the 'Philadelphia flu'. That goes back to the Broad Street [Bullies] days. But there's no secret meetings going on or any propaganda or brainwashing."

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Don't tell some Caps fans that. Flyers are the reincarnation of Nazi Germany to some of them.

it's funny how a lot of these goons go into coaching after they retire.. I can see how a guy like tocchet can become a coach because he became a pretty good player but don't see what guys like brown and berube bring to the table.

I think the Penguins are more the reincarnation of Nazi Germany than the Flyers are. The Pens are the Evil Empire, as far as I'm concerned. (Yes, I even rooted for the Philthy Flyers against them in the playoffs.)

I lived in Glen Burnie for awhile. Actually, lived in half the towns around Baltimore for "awhile." Anyway, I don't think GB is the "Burn."

I think it was apartment building - Greentree? - near intersection 3 and 301?

My biggest memory besides we brought our first baby daughter there for a few weeks before moving into 1st house (that was just off Wilkens Ave right on the city/county line, 4 trash pick-ups a week) was stopping for beer on the way home when the Americans and Soviets were playing in the 80 Olympics - the game was going to be broadcast tape delayed - and as I'm paying someone spoils the fun by saying, "Did you hear the Americans won?"

I'm glad like hell they won, but wished to not know in advance. Then they struggled against the Finns in the gold medal game. For the love of God, that was almost 30 yrs ago.

Oh are you basically from the Baltimore area (until you moved to Florida)?

Your kids are obviously older than mine. In Caps terms, my first born is about a year younger than Semin, about 7 months older than Ovy and Fehr, about a year older than Schultz, and was born on Brendan Witt's 10th birthday. (My younger is the same age as this year's draft class.)

Wonder if Knuble knows enough Latvian to converse with Coach Artur Irbe in the latter's native language. Knuble's parents were both born in Latvia -- his mom had come over when she was a little kid. Knuble was born in Toronto, CA but grew up in Michigan (and I assume considers himself American).

I read a story where Knuble and his brother were planning to take their mom on a trip to Latvia.

CapsFan75: I was born in Germany cuz my dad was in the US Army and me pregnant mum went over to give birth. Lived in Baltimore starting age 1 from 58-64. Moved to Detroit. My dad was a goalie at Forest Park HS (Balto) in the early 50s so we got into hockey real quick in Detroit. Moved back to Baltimore in 1968 just when Earl Weaver was hired. Spent 68-79 in Woodlawn and went to Woodlawn JH and SH and Towson Univ. Got married in 78 when college junior. Worked in Glen Burnie at Gould Electronics after college, 79-82, then transferred to Gould Simulations in Long Island 82-84. Came back to Baltimore again in 84 to work for Martin Marietta. Lived in Perry Hall 84-87 and Bel Air 87-95. Drove 130 miles rountrip as Caps season ticket holder. Moved to Orlando Dec, 1995. Been in one place a long time now, much longer than ever.

Thanks to fanohock1 I'll be at the Devils game Oct 12th and it will be my first Caps home game since Jan 13, 1996.

Just finished 3rd vacation of year, this to Grand canyon, spent the "off" night (no hockey game) booking 4 nights hotel end of Jan for the "DEATH VALLEY" vacation. Not so rugged as one might expect - 1st and last night are Vegas - 2 nights $80 total due to low bookings. Also got one night in the Death Valley NP at $140 w/tax. where temps that time o' year are high 70/low 40.
Sometimes in life you need to splurge.

I'm also available to support all Caps games in FL with airport pick-ups if possible, free nights at the house in Orlando if that works and carpool to games as well.

I'll also be back at the Grand Canyon (8th straight year) Sep 23rd thru 29th of 2010 anyone interested. Trip designed to skirt start of hockey season. One night Flagstaff/4 nights Canyon/1 back in Phoenix. If you want to hike until your feet fall off, this is the trip.

This was so great this past week hiking down and back and down and back and pushing on when exhausting, thinking, "If I can get back to the top, maybe they can win the Cup."

Signed,
TominFL
Family man first
Caps fan second
Grand Canyon man third

You guys started havibng kids a lot sooner than me. In my case, I didn't start until I was over 31 years old. (Yes, I'm one of those woman who delayed child bearing for the career.) Your last was born the same year as my first born. Your last is only 19 days older than Ovy, if I've figured it our correctly. (Coincidentally, that is the age difference between myself and my husband.) Ovy is also the last of 3 kids. (I actually have a friend who has a son born when your daughter was born.)

irockthered - I'm with you on hoping Pronger doesn't do anything dire, but on the other hand I can see him taking 3 or 4 minors tonight, since adreneline seems to turn off his brain. Along with the couple that Briere will take when his Napoleon complex kicks in and the 3 or 4 others that might get called. The Caps should be ok if they stick to the PP game plan and take advantage.

It's only the third game of the season, but it's hard to deny that this is an early statement game for both teams. It's a clash of powerhouses, and it's likely to be a close and fairly dirty affair, as these two teams don't particularly like each other, either.

I've got faith in our boys, but this is going to be a hot one and here's hoping they come out of the gate ready to kick some @$$.

Haven't been feeling well so just got done doing a lot of catch-up reading. Regarding the chant at the Leafs goaltenders (which is goofy IMO), how in the heck could any of you at the game not see that the MONSTER stepped into the net? He is 5 inches taller than Toskala. Hence the nickname MONSTER. Ironically enough it seems the way to beat the MONSTER is to go high. Both Semin and Morrison's goal were shots they roofed, the third was a fluke. Most big goalies are beat low, 5 hle usually being the favorite target.

My opinion on Schultz...I like him. I like him even more after the preseason he had. I know a lot of you like Erskine but he has by far been the one making common mistakes. He hasn't played all that bad, but he is obviously the least skilled of the defensemen that have played thus far.

IMO Pothier has looked good too but is being held out tonight because we'll need some extra meat on defense tonight.